MLB All-Star Game: Jose Quintana replacing Danny Salazar
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana will be replacing Cleveland Indians starter Danny Salazar on the American League roster at the MLB All-Star Game.
The 2016 MLB All-Star Game is now just a day away, and a player set to make his All-Star debut is being replaced by another also making his first appearance in a Midsummer Classic.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar was preparing to make his debut in the game tomorrow, but will not be playing due to what is being reported as “mild elbow discomfort.”
This is simply the team being safe and it makes sense. Salazar is the ace of the Indians staff with a record of 10-3 and an ERA of 2.75, putting him just .07 behind Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright.
This precaution meant a replacement was needed, and Chicago White Sox starter Jose Quintana was the one chosen.
Jose Quintana replaces Danny Salazar on the AL All-Star roster.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 10, 2016
Like Salazar, this is the first time Quintana has been named to the All-Star Game. His 3.21 ERA is fifth-best in the AL.
Even with Salazar out, the AL Central-leading Indians will still have a representative from one of the league’s most dominant pitching staffs. Corey Kluber was also named to the roster and will be making his debut as well. The 2014 Cy Young Award winner finished the first half of the season with a 9-8 record and an ERA of 3.61.
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The Indians’ pitching staff has been having a great deal of success against opposing clubs this season. The team’s 3.64 ERA is best in the AL, while its five complete games also ranks first.
This is due to both Kluber and Salazar, but also to Josh Tomlin, Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco. The group has been with the organization for several years, making 2016 look like the culmination of a carefully planned out pitching staff. That is, if the staff keeps up the production during the second half of the season.
Quintana and his White Sox seemed to be on a similar path after a 23-10 start to the season, but the club enters the break seven games behind the Indians in the AL Central. The team is still in contention for both the division and a Wild Card spot, but a poor start to the second half could lead to some players being traded in preparation for 2017.
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Quintana should be safe, but someone like Chris Sale could be a real possibility in the trade market. The White Sox would get a great return from a contending team looking for an upgrade. But with all this outside noise surrounding his team, Quintana will be able to enjoy Tuesday when he is in San Diego for his first All-Star Game.